The full statement indicated that organizers have been “working hard to explore alternative dates for Electric Forest 2020, and find a time that works best for both our community and our neighbors.

“At this time, the Rothbury Village Council is not able to approve alternate dates for this year. We are exploring all our options, and will provide you with updates as soon as we can. We appreciate your patience and support while we work through this news.”

Electric Forest later Tweeted that it’s “working hard to explore alternative dates for Electric Forest 2020 and find a time that works best for both our community and our neighbors.”

Not Social-Distancing: The crowds at Electric Forest. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)

Originally slated to take place June 25-28 at the Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, passes for the 10th Electric Forest sold out quickly, with the festival scheduled to feature headlining sets by The String Cheese Incident, Bassnectar, Flume, Major Lazer, Big Gigantic, Louis the Child, Diplo and The Disco Biscuits.

More than 40,000 festivalgoers attend Electric Forest each year.

According to the Ocean County Press, village officials had received phone calls from residents concerned about the festival taking place when students were back in school.

In recent weeks, a debate has swirled online about moving forward with the festival in light of social-distancing and the coronavirus pandemic.

After Thursday’s news, many fans on Facebook expressed disappointment with the potential cancellation of this year’s festival, while others asked about refunds. Still others speculated the event might move to a different location.

“Be optimistic all you want,” one commenter wrote. “Fact is, nothing is happening this year. No large gathering will happen. Period. It doesn’t take a genius to see it.”

Wrote another: “They are exploring all options which obviously includes a change in venue. Everyone take a breath and let the peeps work.”

Commented another: “That community loses sooo much money if this gets canceled!”

Kalamazoo singer and songwriter Jason Singer of the band Michigander, which was making its first appearance at Electric Forest this year, declined comment on the situation until he heard from his agent, but said he had been “looking forward” to playing the festival.

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[…] festivals that have announced plans to cancel or reschedule due to the coronavirus pandemic, with Electric Forest announcing late Thursday that organizers are “exploring all our options” for alternate dates after Rothbury village officials rejected a request to reschedule the late June […]